Business slowed in parts of Jersey shore in 1st post-Sandy summer, but many still grateful

MANASQUAN, N.J. – It wasn't a great summer to do business at the Jersey shore.

But considering the damage Superstorm Sandy did to the region last fall and the Herculean effort to get large swaths of the coast ready for tourists and residents by Memorial Day, many say they are grateful they had any kind of summer season at all this year.

Matthew Riccelli of Gee Gee's Pizza on the Manasquan beach walk says business was down about 30 percent this summer.

On the Belmar boardwalk, the Exit 98 Boutique reopened in a steel shipping container for this summer. Employee Kathy Ferrara says foot traffic was about the same as last year, but profits were down.

A Ship Bottom realtor says Long Beach Island rentals were off by about 25 percent.